What We Offer

Awatea Athletics offers several different activities, whether you are totally new to the sport or a seasoned athlete, take some time to browse what we do.

Club Night - Mondays

Our Club Night is designed to give athletes aged 5yrs and older a fun and challenging experience of the main athletic disciplines. The program is scaled to give athletes age-appropriate challenges, with the older athletes being offered a squad-based training.

This program is split into several groups each with their own focused activities. 

Ages 5-6yrs have a 60min rotation around a running, jumping and throwing activity each week. 

Ages 7-12yrs have a 90min rotation around a running, jumping and throwing activity every week, with one station per week focused on measuring and tracking progress through a competitive event. 

Ages 13-18yrs have a 90min varied training session in their own squad, coached by a top local senior athlete. This program is tailored to the athletes.

Our activities are based on the Athletics New Zealand ‘Run, Jump, Throws’ program and the World Athletics Children’s Athletics programs.

Where: Te Kahu Park, 3 The Runway, Wigram

When: Mondays @ 5 PM, Terms 4 and 1

Awatea Academy - Wednesday

Awatea Athletics Academy is a targeted coaching night for ages 10yrs and older. With a full range of event coaching options, led by top local senior athletes and coaches.

Our Academy is focused on supporting athletes get to the next level with their individual event skills, run by high quality coaches that cover all disciplines. 

Each 90min session athletes will train across 2 or 3 events, in small age & skill-based squads. The Academy is open to athletes registered with any club in Canterbury.

We currently offer Javelin, Shot Put, Discus, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Hurdles, Sprints and Middle-Distance coaching.

Where: Nga Puna Wai, Warm-up Area, Augustine Drive, Wigram

When: Wednesdays @ 5 PM, Terms 4 and 1

Interclub Competition - Saturday

A Saturday Interclub competition run’s for ages 7-14yrs in the morning and 15yrs+ in the afternoon for athletics from all over Canterbury.

These programs are for those that want to test their skills against other athletes or focus on developing more confidence in a competitive environment.

The Saturday morning program is run by Canterbury Children’s Athletics Association for 7-14yrs and has it’s own additional registration fee. This runs from 8:45am-12:30pm, finishing with a Canterbury Championship in March. Athletes can have a go for up to two weeks for free over the summer. All families involved in this competition are required to be on a roster for duties every few weeks.

The Saturday afternoon program is run by Athletics Canterbury for 15yr+ and has it’s own additional registration fees. This runs from 1pm – 5pm and includes a variety of different events through-out the season including championships and the chance to represent Canterbury at national events.

We set-up our Awatea Gazebo at the morning competition as a home-base for our families.

Where: Nga Puna Wai, Warm-up Area, Augustine Drive, Wigram

When: Saturdays @ 8:30am, Terms 4 and 1

Volunteer & Coach Development

At the heart of our community are all our volunteers, without whom we couldn’t run such a successful club. We are committed to resource and upskill all our volunteers to get the most out of their experience with the club.

In order to offer the highest quality program we can, we have a high adult to child ratio through-out. This allows for the best delivery of our age-appropriate activities and coaching. The club nights run off a roster system which can only accommodate a small number of families to participate that cannot also volunteer. 

To support all our volunteers from those completely new to athletics, to those that have had a passion for many years we have developed a support program to ensure everyone feels prepared and confident with their role and those that wish to can further their personal development and coaching skills to a higher level. 

This program is delivered in on-site training and support and on-line resourcing.

Where: On-site and online

When: Through-out the season

FAQ

No, we don’t enforce attendance each week. Some of the aspects of the program do build from week to week, especially within the older ages, but we understand that regular attendance can be difficult for many reasons.

No, we have a club set of uniforms that are issued out for competition for our 7-14yrs (Uniforms may need to be purchased for seniors, please enquire). You will need to supply your child’s own plain black shorts.

We do require an adult on-site for all children aged 5-6yrs.

No, we don’t enforce competition each week. There are relays every week (Boys & Girls alternate) Which we encourage athletes to be a part of these whenever possible.

We offer a one have-a-go day at the before the season on our registration day. If you are still unsure, you need to register your interest for having a go at a club night, as we have limited numbers of groups available, and these may have already filled up. We will advise you if there is space.

We understand that volunteering isn’t always possible for some families, and don’t want any children to miss out on the opportunity to participate. We can accommodate a small number of families who cannot support the club with a volunteer on the roster. are a good fit for them.

On our club nights we have a circuit of running, jumping and throwing events. We believe it is best for all athletes to continue to learn these skills across all the events each week. When it comes to Interclub competition, families are able to choose which events they enter in, but we still recommend that athletes try at least one run, jump and throw event each week.

We have our new senior squad’s starting this season, led by top senior athlete coaches with a range of events skills. These squad trainings are tailored to the group and their targeted events both on Mondays and Wednesdays. For athletes over 18yrs, please enquire about coaching and we will support you to find the right option for you.

Member Testimonials

“The coaching was great and the kids really enjoyed it”

“You guys did a phenomenal job this season - well done and thank you!”
"Great athletics club.
Well done on your first year. Loved seeing all the kids from this side of town being involved."
“I thought the program, attitude of club and volunteers and value for money were all excellent. I have recommended the club to many other parents since we started last year.”